Drawing board and attached straightedge



Oct. 9, 1928.

Filed July 26, 1927 2 SheetsjSheet J u ,g 3/

A u l l l l| oci, 9, 192s.

c. c. NUcKoLs DRAWING BOARD AND ATTACHED STRAIGHT EDGE Filed July :a6I 1927 2 sheets-sheet 2 LIE \ 25 line with the Patented Oct. 9, 1928.

UNITED STAT-Es PATENT OFFICE.

DRAWING BOARD AND ATTACHED STBAIGHTEDGE.

Application led .Tuly 26,

This invention comprehends the provision of a portable drafting board, embodying among other features, straight edges secured to two adjacent sides of the board so that the paper can be quickly and properly centered thereon, one of said straightA edges being yieldably mounted and designed to clamp the paper in position.

One of the chief characteristics of the present invention resides inthe provision of means for supporting a straight edge for sliding movement on the board, and which means permits the straight edge to be 'arranged parallel with each of two adjacent sides of the board, so that horizontal lines or vertical perpendicular lines can be accurately drawn.

A further object of the invention resides in providing the straight edges -with in- I) dented scale markings for rapid lay-out of work, the indentations on the scale being of r sufficient depth to accommodate the point of apencil, making it possible to conveniently, quickly and accurately locate the dimension point of a pencil or scribe.

Another object of the invention resides in roviding a board with straight edges associated with two adjacent sides of the board, one of which is employed for clamping the paper in position, while both of said straight edges are provided with a double scale, the graduations of one of said scales reading from the center to the opposite ends of said straight edge.

$5 Other objects and advantages. of the invention will be better understood when the following detail description is read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, the invention residing in the construction,

40. combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this application like `numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the board showing by full lines how the movable straight edge is arranged for the drawing of perpendicular lines, and also showing by dash I0 lines how the said straight edge can be arranged for the drawing of` horizontal lines.

Fi re 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing how the board may be used without 1927. vSerial No. 208,650.

the movable straight edge and its supporting means.

Figure 3 is an edge elevation of the board illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on line 4--4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an edge elevation of the board illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a view taken Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view of one-of the scale markings showing the indentations.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 10 represents a drawing board of any ordinary and well known construction, and which board has permanently secured along one edge thereof a straight edge preferably formed from a single piece of material and of the cross sectional configuration illustrated in Figure 8. This straight edge is indicated generally at 11 and is secured to the side of the board in any suitable manner, preferably by fastening elements I2, the straight edge including adownwardly inclined portion 13, the lower edge 14 of which 'is arranged substantially parellel vwith the body portion 11, and adapted to be positioned in a groove 15 formed on the surface of the board. This straight edge is of course utilizedto center the ypaper on the board 10, and by reason of the manner in which the straight edge is Ipositioned in the groove 15, itis obvious that the paper can be moved against the straight edge, without any possibility of the paper slipping beneath the edge. Consequently the paper can be moved against this straight edge without any particular care and the paper centered on 1in@ 6 6 of on the board in a quick and convenient v manner.

Secured to the adjacent edge of the board 10 is another straight edge, the latter being preferably in the form of a clamp used to clamp and hold the paper fixed upon the board in its given position. While this straight edge may be constructed for the purpose intended in various ways, without departing from the inventive idea, I preferably construct the same in the manner illus- 'ticular indentation,

trated in Figure 7. This straight edge includes a' Istationary section 16 which reposes upon the board adjacent the edge thereof and is formed with a depending flange 17 which is secured to said edge in any suitable manner.` This flange 17 reinforces the board proper and prohibits distortional warping of the surface of the board. Rising from this stationary section are spaced apertured ears 18, the latter being arranged in pairs adjacent each end of said section as clearly illustrated in Figure 6. The straight edge also includes a yieldingly mounted movable section 19 formed at each end with a depending ear 20, the latter being arranged next to the outermost ear 18 formed on the stationary section 16 to accommodate a pivot bolt 21. Each of these bolts is surrounded by a coil spring 22 having one end bearing against the stationary section 16 and its other end bearing against the movable'section 19, and exerting a pressure upon the latter to always hold it in effective Contact with the face of the board. The movable section 19 is provided with a downwardly inclined portion 23 similar to the portion 13 of the straight edge 11, and this inclined portion 23 terminates to provide Ya straight edge 24 which reposes upon the board 10. It is manifest that the movable section 19 can be easily and quickly depressed against the tension of the springs22, to permit the paper to beslipped beneath the straight edge 24 thereof, and when the movable section is released. the said straight edge will engage and clamp the paper on the board 10.

The downwardly inclined portion 13 of the straight edge 11 and the similar portion 23 of the other straight edge arranged along the adjacent edge of the board, are prefarably graduated as illustrated. In other words each of these inelined`portions is provided with a double scale, one series of graduations reading from one end to the other of the straight edge,while the other series of graduations are readable from the center toward the' opposite ends of said straight edge. The graduations on the scales are preferably indented as illustrated at 34 in 4igure 8, this view being enlarged to clearly illustrate the indentations, each of which is of a suflicient depth to conveniently, quickly and accurately locate the dimension line with the point of a penr eil or scribe. In other'words the point of the pencil can be quickly arranged in the parand the triangle'or T can then be placed in-contaet with the point of the pencil or scribe as the case may be, and the line projected from a true dimension point. Thisof course provides for a rapid lay-out of work. It is of course understood that these straight edges may be graduated in any desired divisions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

make it possible to4 Ivwhich is spaced an appreciable distance from the board. It is my purpose to mount the guide rod27 so that it can be arranged in parallelism with the straight edge 11, thus positioning' the-straight edge 25 as illus 7 trated by full lines in pendicular lines can curately drawn, and the straight edge 25 shifted along the guiderod 27 as the occasion requires; or .said with its straight edge 25 can be quickly and conveniently shifted to arrange the guide rod parallel with the combined straight edge and clamp as illustrated by dash lines in Figure 1. Vh'en the guide rod is arranged in the last mentioned position, it is manifest that the straight edge 25 is then arranged for the drawing of horizontal lines, and can also be shifted along the rod 27 as desired.

Various means may be employed for mounting the guide rod uponthe board to permit of the quick change in the position of the rod for the purpose above stated,4 and I do not limit myself to what is herein shown and described in connection with this important feature of the invention. lHowever. I preferably make use of two headed studs indicated at 28 and 29 respectively, and provide the board 10 with sockets 30 adjacent three corners. The heads of these studs receive the guide rod 27, while the head of the stud 29 is provided with a set screw 31, which when tightened holds the rod fixed relatively to the studs. The studs 28 and 29 are of course adapted to be positioned within two of the openings 30, having a snug fit therein vso as to be held in position by friction, and when it is desired to drawperpendicular lines, the studs are arranged upon the board in the adjacent openings, to sup- Figure 1, so that perbe quickly and acport the rod 27 and the straight edges 25 in the positions illustrated by full lines in Figure 1. However when it is Vdesired to position the rod 27 parallel with the adjacent edge of the board, as illustrated by dash lines in Figure 1, it is only Vnecessary to remove the studs 28 and 29 from their respective openings, and then place the stud 28 in the opening previously occupied byY the stud 29, and at the ysame time position the stud 29 in the other of said openings arranged adjacent one corner of the board. The rod 27 is then positioned asillustrated by dash lines in 'Figguide rod 27 together` quickly Vand accurately drawn.

ure 1, and this of course positions the straight edge as illustrated by dash lines in Figure 1 so that horizontal lines can be IVhen the rod 27 is arranged in the position illustrated by dash lines in Figure 1, it is allowed to slide through the head of the stud 29, as the rod is slightly longer than the width of the board.

By reason of this construction and arrangement of parts, it is obvious that the rod 27 and straight edge 25 can be removed from the board as a unit, should it be desired to use the board without these elements. lFor this purpose it is only necessary to remove the studs rointhe openings 30, which can be quickly and conveniently accomplished., inasmuch as the studs are merely held frictionally within the openings. Figure 2 illustrates how the board may be used without the straight edge 425 and its guide rod 27. Then again triangles may be used inthe ordinary manner for the drawing of straight lines,'and these angles may also be used when the board is equipped with the straight edge '25 and guide rod 27. As the guide rod 27 is spaced an appreciable distance from the board as illustrated in Figure 4. it is manifest that the triangles can be slipped beneath the rod 27 to engage eitherot the straight edges associated with the adjacent edges of the board itself. I

Vhile it is believed that from the forenVoing description, the nature and advantages t the invention will be readily apparent, I

desire to have it understood, that I do notlimit myself to what is herein shown and ing spacedopenings, a pair described and that such changes may be reand clamp secured to the adjacent edge of.

the board and adapted to hold a sheet of paper in position thereon, said hoard havof headed studs, a guide rod supported by said studs, an additional straight edge slidably mounted on said rod, and said studs being adapted tor interchangeable engagement with said openings, Whereby said rod can be arranged parallel with either' ot the lfirst mentioned straight edges.

2. In combination, a drawing board having openings adjacent certain corners thereot', and a longitudinal groove adjacent one edge, a straight edge secured to the latter mentioned edge of theboard and including 'a portion terminating Within said groove, a combined straight edge and spring clamp secured to the adjacent edge of the board` a pair of headed studs, a guide rod supported by said studs, an additional straight edge including a sleeve-like portion slidable 0n said rod, a set screw carried by one of said studs.' and said studs being adapted to be interchangeably fitted in said openings, whereby said rod can be arranged parallel with either of the first mentioned straight edges.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

- CLAUDE C. NUCKOLS. 

